In a world racing toward automation and scale, true leadership is increasingly defined by empathy and purpose. Lok Chung stands out not for loud ambition, but for his steady commitment to serving people at their most vulnerable. As the Founder and CEO of Peace of Mind Funeral Services, his work across Hong Kong and Australia reflects a rare blend of compassion, professionalism, and forward-thinking vision, making him one of the personalities to watch in 2026.
From Finance to Farewell: A Journey Shaped by Responsibility
Chung’s professional path did not begin in funeral services. After graduating from university, he entered the world of finance, working at an investment firm. Yet the pull of family responsibility soon redirected his course. A year later, the compassionate leader joined his family’s funeral business, stepping into an industry steeped in tradition, cultural sensitivity, and emotional intensity.
The transition was far from easy. As a young professional in a conservative field, Chung faced immense pressure and skepticism. Funeral work demanded emotional resilience, operational precision, and cultural fluency, often under circumstances charged with grief. Over five years, he immersed himself in every aspect of the trade, learning not just the logistics of funerals, but the unspoken needs of families navigating loss.
A Moment That Changed Everything
Five years into his career, one experience fundamentally altered Chung’s outlook. During a particularly demanding funeral, he witnessed the daughter of the deceased collapse to her knees afterward, overwhelmed by the burden of having to manage too many arrangements on her own. The image stayed with him.
That moment revealed a gap in the industry. Families were being forced to coordinate fragmented services during the most painful moments of their lives. Chung recognized the urgent need for a true one-stop solution, a service that could shoulder complexity so families could focus on mourning and remembrance. This realization became the catalyst for founding Peace of Mind Funeral Services, a company built on the promise of holistic, dignified care.
Building a New Standard in a Traditional Industry
Starting his own company was a defining risk. Against entrenched norms and significant odds, Chung chose independence. The early years were difficult, marked by long hours, financial uncertainty, and the challenge of earning trust in a deeply personal industry. Yet persistence paid off.
Peace of Mind Funeral Services introduced a modern, client-centered approach to funerals in Hong Kong, emphasizing personalization, transparency, and emotional support. His leadership helped reposition funeral directors not merely as service providers, but as professional guides through one of life’s most vulnerable transitions.
In 2017, Chung’s work began gaining wider public attention through his first interview, marking an important moment in bringing professional funeral services into public discourse. This visibility paved the way for broader acknowledgment of his approach and values. In 2019, his contributions were formally recognized when he became the first funeral director in Hong Kong to receive recognition from the World Funeral Organization, affirming that local practice, when guided by ethics and professionalism, could meet global standards.
Leadership Rooted in Service and Culture
Chung’s leadership philosophy is grounded in servant leadership and cultural stewardship. He leads by example, holding firmly to his core values while remaining adaptable and open to learning. For him, leadership is not about authority, but about responsibility to both his team and the families they serve.
Dignity, transparency, and respect guide every decision. Chung believes that every family, regardless of background or budget, deserves clarity and peace of mind when saying goodbye. He also champions innovation, pushing his teams to modernize funeral practices without eroding cultural traditions. International standards in ethics, safety, and public health are not aspirations in his organization, but expectations.
Recognition, Reach, and Responsibility
Chung’s achievements extend well beyond building a trusted brand. He has been named “40 Under 40” by ICCFA, invited by universities and seminaries to lecture, and recognized by embassies and publishers for his contributions to the field. His involvement as a fellow in public health and social enterprise organizations reflects his belief that funeral work is inseparable from community well-being.
Perhaps most significantly, Peace of Mind Funeral Services is now expanding into Australia. As the company grows internationally, Chung is focused on training a new generation of professional funeral directors, ensuring that compassion and professionalism scale alongside the business.
Educating Society About Death
One of Chung’s most impactful initiatives lies outside traditional business metrics. Through public talks, university lectures, and community engagement, the compassionate leader has become a leading voice in death education. By encouraging open conversations about death, grief, and planning ahead, he helps dismantle taboos that often leave families unprepared and isolated.
These efforts have reframed funerals as opportunities for healing and reconciliation rather than mere rituals. By integrating services across charities and community organizations, Chung has built an ecosystem of support that addresses emotional, logistical, and social needs in a holistic way.
Looking Toward 2026
Chung believes 2026 will mark a turning point for the funeral industry. Aging populations, sustainability concerns, and technological advances are reshaping how societies approach death and remembrance. Digital memorialization, green burial options, and AI-assisted planning are emerging as powerful tools.
Yet the compassionate leader is clear that technology must serve humanity, not replace it. He advocates for thoughtful implementation of AI, enhancing transparency and efficiency while preserving the human connection at the heart of funeral service. Sustainability and carbon-conscious practices are also central to his vision for the future.
Lessons From Pressure, Failure, and Family
Leadership has not come without personal cost. During the COVID period, Chung was so consumed by work that he went two weeks without physically seeing his children. The experience forced a reckoning. The compassionate leader reassessed his priorities, hired additional support, and restructured his schedule to reclaim time with his family.
Failure, he believes, is a powerful teacher. It reveals resilience, clarifies priorities, and exposes who truly stands beside you. These lessons have shaped a leader who values balance, humility, and long-term perspective as much as professional success.
Guidance for the Next Generation
To aspiring leaders, Chung offers pragmatic advice. Do not fear loss. Accept routine, sacrifice, and continuous learning as non-negotiable. Adaptability, he insists, is essential in a world of constant change. The world will not adjust itself for you; growth begins with changing oneself.